Ovocné sady ako fenomén kultúrnej krajiny novobanskej štálovej oblasti / Fruit Orchards of the Nová Baňa Scattered Settlement Region as a Phenomenon of Cultural Landscape

Abstract

Grasslands with old fruit trees are among the most widespread landscape elements in the Nová Baňa town scattered-settlement region. They are an expansion of former fruit production and are important in both cultural-historical and natural heritage. They were, however, crucially affected by socialist agriculture and the socioeconomic changes after 1989. This paper summarises available data on traditional orchards and includes information on their management and the significance of the fruit production intensification period. The results herein are based on literature sources and structured interviews with local inhabitants. Moreover, our results stress that it is paramount to maintain traditional orchard management to ensure the biodiversity and character of this scattered settlement’s important landscape elements.

Keywords

• scattered settlement
• traditional orchard
• management
• agricultural collectivism
• Nová Baňa